e-card Fee Austria 2026/2027 | Prescription Charge & Cap
The e-card fee Austria charges rises to €26.85 in 2027; the prescription charge stays at €7.55 per pack in 2026. Exemptions, the 2% cap, refund steps.
Read more →Dog Insurance
Dog Insurance Austria
Dog liability and dog health insurance explained. Mandatory in six federal states – combined with unlimited owner liability under § 1320 ABGB.
Get a quote at durchblicker.atAdvertising disclosure: We may earn a commission from durchblicker.at for contracts made through marked links. There are no extra costs for you.
Direct Answer
In 2026, dog liability insurance is legally required in Vienna, Lower Austria, Upper Austria, Styria, Salzburg and Tyrol – source: federal-state dog laws via RIS. In Carinthia, Burgenland and Vorarlberg it is voluntary, but mandatory for listed (dangerous) breeds. Optional add-ons are surgery cover (€10–25/month) and full health insurance (€25–70/month). Because Austrian owners face unlimited liability under § 1320 ABGB, a liability policy is recommended nationwide.
TL;DR
- ·Dog liability mandatory in 6 of 9 federal states (Vienna, LA, UA, Styria, Salzburg, Tyrol) – RIS source.
- ·Minimum coverage in Upper Austria and Tyrol: €725,000 (Oö. Hundehaltegesetz, Tiroler Landes-Polizeigesetz).
- ·Liability from €4/month, surgery cover from €12/month, full health from €25/month.
- ·Penalty for missing mandatory cover: €700 to €7,000 (varies by state).
- ·Listed-breed surcharge: factor 1.5–3; proof of expertise and keeping permit required.
Reviewed by CheckEverything.at Redaktion, insurance editorial · Last updated: 27 May 2026.
The Two Components of Dog Insurance
Dog Liability Insurance
Protects you against third-party claims when your dog causes damage. Mandatory in six federal states.
- Personal injury (e.g., bite injuries, pain compensation)
- Property damage (e.g., torn clothing, damaged furniture)
- Financial losses (e.g., lost wages of injured party)
- Rental property damage
- Coverage from €725,000 (legal minimum UA/Tyrol), typically €1–5 million
Dog Health Insurance
Covers veterinary fees for surgeries, treatments and medication – protection against high vet bills.
- Vet visits and treatments (per Austrian Veterinary Chamber tariff)
- Surgeries and aftercare (surgery cover)
- Medication and diagnostics
- Preventive care and vaccinations (optional)
- Annual maximum per tariff – often €5,000 up to unlimited
Where Is Dog Liability Mandatory?
Mandatory cover comes from each federal-state dog law (RIS). Status as of 27 May 2026:
Vienna
RequiredWr. Tierhaltegesetz § 5
Lower Austria
RequiredNÖ Hundehaltegesetz
Upper Austria
RequiredOö. Hundehaltegesetz, min. cover €725,000
Styria
RequiredStmk. Landes-Sicherheitsgesetz
Salzburg
RequiredSbg. Landessicherheitsgesetz
Tyrol
RequiredTiroler Landes-Polizeigesetz, from €725,000
Carinthia
Voluntary*Mandatory for listed breeds (Krnt. Hundegesetz)
Burgenland
Voluntary*Mandatory for listed breeds (Bgld. Tierhaltegesetz)
Vorarlberg
Voluntary*Mandatory for listed breeds (Vbg. Hundegesetz)
* For listed breeds, liability is mandatory in Carinthia, Burgenland and Vorarlberg as well, under each state law.
Practical Note on § 1320 ABGB
Even where mandatory insurance does not apply, every Austrian dog owner is liable without limit under § 1320 ABGB. A private liability policy is therefore strongly recommended in Carinthia, Burgenland and Vorarlberg too. Source: consumer guidance from AK Oberösterreich.
Why Dog Insurance?
1
Unlimited Liability Under ABGB
As a dog owner you are liable with your entire assets for all damages your dog causes – no upper limit (§ 1320 ABGB).
2
High Damage Awards
A bite incident can quickly exceed €40,000 according to AK case files (hospital, pain compensation, lost income, rehabilitation).
3
Household Insurance Excludes Dogs
Most Austrian household policies explicitly exclude dogs from private liability.
4
Legal Requirement in 6 States
Breaching the insurance requirement carries fines of €700 to €7,000 depending on the federal state.
What Does Dog Insurance Cost in 2026?
Market data May 2026 (durchblicker.at, VKI/Konsument). Premium depends on breed, age, deductible and place of residence:
| Insurance Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Dog Liability Basic (€1m cover) | €40–80/year |
| Dog Liability Premium (€5m) | €80–150/year |
| Dog Health Surgery Cover | €150–300/year |
| Dog Health Full Cover | €300–600/year |
| Combo Package (Liability + Health) | €400–700/year |
An independent calculator shows premium spreads up to €300 per year – check tariff conditions before signing.
Listed Breeds: Surcharge and Restrictions
Definitions of "listed" (dangerous) breeds vary by federal state. Vienna has the strictest list:
- Liability premium surcharge: factor 1.5 to 3
- Muzzle and leash obligation in public (varies by state)
- Proof of expertise or dog licence (Vienna, LA, UA, Salzburg)
- Special keeping permit from the municipality required
- Minimum coverage often raised to €1.5 million
Commonly listed breeds (per state): American Staffordshire Terrier, Bull Terrier, Pitbull, Rottweiler, Dogo Argentino, Tosa Inu, Mastino Napoletano and others. Source: ÖKV (Austrian Kennel Club) and state laws via RIS.
Want the Full Guide Instead?
Need tariffs, deductibles and listed-breed rules in depth? Our 2026 guide explains components, state rules and cost examples step by step.
Open the 2026 Dog Insurance GuideIn-Depth Dog Insurance Guides
Related Guides
Travel Health Insurance Austria 2026: Costs & Cover
Travel health insurance in Austria: what the e-card doesn't cover abroad, what a policy costs, and when it's worth it. Compare offers now.
Read more →
Credit Card Travel Insurance Austria 2026: What Applies
Credit card travel insurance in Austria: which cards often include cover, what's typically included, and when a standalone policy makes sense.
Read more →Calculate Your Dog Insurance Now
See tariffs from several providers in a few minutes. Free calculator – no contact details required.
Open the durchblicker.at calculator